Printing machine



w. F. HUCK PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. s, 1940 Nov. 23, 1943.

4 Sheets-Sheet l mvEN-roR W1 luam IHucK.

ATT RNEY Nov. 23, 1943. w. F. HucK PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. s, 1940 asusta-sheet 2 lNvENToR MlljamElmc/r.

A ORNEY Nov. 23, 1943. w. F. HUcK PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ZIS l lOl Nov. 23, 1943. w. F. HUCK 2,335,010

' PRINTING MACHINE Y g Filed Aug. 3, 1940 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 235 Q 7442 2361 243 f 23 y 238 f lNvENToR WJ uamEh'uc/g,

BY o...

ATT NEY Patented Nov. 23, 1943 PRINTING MACHINE William F. Huck, Richmond Hill, N. Y., assignor to R. Hoe & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York l Application August a, 194e, serial No. 350,981

1s claims. (ci. iol- 144) This vinvention relates to printing machines' and more particularly to improvements in multicolor sheet fed rotary lithographie printing machines, in which it is usual practice to trip or move, cooperating printing cylinders away from `each other, whenever a sheet is not properly presented for printing.

, In the form of tripping mechanism shown here in, there is provided means whereby the plate and impression cylinders are journaled in movable bearings and the blanket cylinder is journaled in-a fixed bearing and whereby the plate `mechanism means to trip the ink rollers away from the plate cylinder automatically, and to manually move them toward the plate cylinder after they have been tripped with the plate cylinder so as to inlc` the plate when making the machine ready for operation, The automatic actuation of the tripping operations may be controlled by the setting of a part thereof by a form of sheet registering mechanism, for instance, such as is disclosed in Patent No. 2,231,914, or by the mechanism illustrated in the drawings herewith.

One object of this invention is to provide in a printing machine of the above or analogous nature, an improved form of tripping mechanism whereby the above mentioned desiderata will be attained.

4Another object is to provide in a printing machine of the above nature, cylinder tripping mechanism in combination with means controlled by a sheet registering mechanism for controlling the actuation of such tripping mechanism.

Still another object is to provide means, cooperating with such a. -tripping mechanism, to individually adjustthe pressure of the plate and of the impression cylinders upon the blanket cylinder, and other means to manually move the ink rollers toward and alternatively away, from the plate cylinder, independently` of the automatic tripping mechanism.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a sheet printing machine of the above nature with a tripping mechanism of generally improved constructiomwhereby thesame will be relatively simple, durable and inexpensive in construction,

as ,well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eilicient in use.

i With the foregoing and other objects in view, which-will appear as the description proceeds, the present invention residesin the combinations and arrangements of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and' claimed.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Figure l is a side view, somewhat diagrammatical, of a portion of amulticolor sheet printing machine yembodying the features and principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a partialside view of one ot the printing units with a casing and a machine frame sectioned, and broken away, respectively to expose operable portionsof the tripping mechanism;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken generally on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 isa detached view of the operable and associated parts, included in the tripping mechanism of this. invention, for tripping the plate cylinder;

Figure 5 is a detached view oi.' the operable and associated parts, included in the tripping mechanism, for tripping the impression cylinder;

Figure 6 is a detached view of the parts o! the tripping mechanism whereby the ink rollers may be tripped by hand and independently of the plate cylinder;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1--1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 visa broken sectional view taken geni erally on the line 8--8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a broken sectional view showing the casing taken generally on the lines-9 of Figure 2 to show a side vieW of the tripping mechanism therein;

Figure l0 is a somewhat diagrammatical view of the driving gear arrangement of the printing unit illustrated in Figuresv 1 and 2; A. A

Figure 11 is abroken sectional view on the line li-II oi Figure 2; and

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the control device at the registering cylinder.

The printing machine selected to illustrate the features and principles of this invention (see Figure 1) .includes a sheet receiving, registering, and detecting unitk Il having a sheet receiving andregistering cylinder i2, the detail construction and operation of which is fully disclosed in Patent No. 2,231,914. From the cylinder I2, sheets to be printed are carried by a sheet carrying means, such as a conveyor having a.` chain I3 to a first printing unit I4 and by the same means successively to any number of additional printing units I5.

Each of the printing units includes a plate cylinder I6, an impression cylinder i1 both being mounted in movable bearings and cooperating in printing relation with a blanket cylinder I8 mounted in vfixed bearings 20, one of which. is shown in Figure 3. Suitable pairs of ink rollers I9 .and 2| are arranged about the plate cylinder I6 and are supplied with ink from an ink fountain 22 by means of a ductor roller 23 reciprocating ink cylinders 24, 25, 26 and 21 and intermediate ink transfer rollers 28, 29 andv 3|. A suitable pair of water rollers 32 and 313 with a water fountain 34 and ductor roller 35 and a Water cylinder 36 are also provided for the plate cylinder I6. r

The ink cylinders 26 and 21 (Figures l, 2 and ll)- arel'mount'ed to be'` axially 'reciprocated in xed bearings 31, preferably byr mechanism Aindicated at 38 and fully disclosed in Patent 2,300,- 549; The vink rol1ers`|9 and '2l-'are arranged to betripped awayfrom the form or plate cylinder I6 by means including mechanism similarl to that shown inthe last mentioned patent. This mecha nism is arranged-to be actuated automatically, and includes bearings'39 and 48, for the respective ink rollers, which are mounted in arms 4I and 142" rotatably supported yto swing about the axisv of the respective ink cylinders 26 and 21 (see v-Figures *2, 6 and 11) to move the ink rollers I9 and 2| away from the plate cylinder I6;

The arms 4I and 42 are connected bylinks 43 and v44 respectively, to adjustable arms 45 and L 46 mounted on, and carried by, aplate 41l The plate 41 is journaled on an eccentric ring 48 (Figures 3 and 6), which is, in turn, journaled on an 'eccentricbearing sleeve 49 supporting a bearing for the shaft end IA ofthe plate cylinderl I6.

` Rotation of the eccentric ring 48 upon the sleeve 49 'w'ilL-'dueVV toits e'ccentricity, move the plate upwardly withfrespect to the axis of the plate cylinder I6 and through thearms 45 and 46, and links 43 and 44, swing the bearing supporting arms 4I and 42 to carry the ink rollers I9 and 2| away from the plate cylinder I6; This action is l accomplished by the cylinder trippingmeans to be hereinafter described.

The rollers I9 and 2| may be moved toward the plate cylinder I6, while it is tripped away from the blanket l'cylinder I8` by kmanual manipulation yof a handle 52, `to engage these rollers with a Y plate on the cylinder I6, to ink it prior to beginning printing. The handle 52is arranged to be ltemporarily connected `to a lever 53 secured upon a sleeve that is rotatably mount'ed'on. a strip shaft 54 for the impression'cylinder i1 (Figures 6 and 7) The trip shaft 54 is journaled in and extends between the machine side frames 55 and 56, andv the sleeve 50 extends between levers 59 at each side lof -the machine. The lever 53 is arranged to be operably connected and disconnected to and fromthe shaft 54 by a pin 5l' which is slidingly mounted in the lever 53 and adapted to slide into and out of an arrnf58 on a lever 59 keyed to the shaft 54. An arm 6I of the lever53 is connected by'a link 62 to the eccentric ring 48 whereby swinging movement of the lever 53by a handle 52 will move the plate 41 tov move the ink rollers I9 and 2| toward and away from the cylinder I6. The plate 41 is held against rotative movement by a link 63 connected thereto and to the machine frame 55.

The plate 41 and its operating mechanism with the exception of the portion of the lever 53 that receives the handle 52 is duplicated at the opposite side of the machine.

I'he tripping mechanism of this invention is automatically operated, while the machine is in operation, when conditions exist requiring such action, as for instance, when no sheet to be printed is being fed to the units by the carrier chain I3 from the registering cylinder I 2. The tripping is effected by a cam 64, continuously rotating with the blanket cylinder I8, by being mounted on and connected to its shaft end 65 adjacent the side .frame 55, (Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5). Cam engaging rollers 66 and 61 ride on the cam 64 and are carried by rockable levers 68 and 69 respectively. The levers 68 and 69 are rockably mounted on stud shafts 1I and 12 respectively, which extend out from the side frame arrangement -is such that the impression cylinder I1 will be tripped in advance of the plate cylinder I 6.

The rockable lever 68 (Figureb) reciprocates` a trip bar 13' which is pivoted at its rear end 14 to the lever 68 and extends toward and beyond the trip shaft 54. 'A similar trip bar v 15 (Figure 4),'is pivoted at its rear 'end 16 to the lever'69 and extends toward and beyond a trip shaft 11 for the plate cylinder I6. The trip bar 13 (Figure 5), at its forward end is provided with forwardly directed transversely spaced apart shoulders 18 and 19 adapted to engage spaced apart pins 8| land-82 respectively, which extend between plates 83 and 84 and between which the bar 13 slides by the action vthereon of the cam 64 through the cam roller 66 and the lever 68. When the bar 13 is in normal, or down position,

(Figure 5), the shoulder 18.will engage the pin 8| to swing the plates 83 and 84 to rock the shaftl 54 in one direction, and it will be necessary to raise the bar 13 to cause the shoulder 19 to engage the pin 82 to rock the shaft 54 in the other direction. The plate 84 is secured to the shaft; 54, in this instance, by being formed on the end thereof. A spring 85 reacting between a stud 86 and the lever 68 maintains the cam roller 66 against the cam 64.

The rockable lever 69 (Figure 4) reciprocates the trip bar 15 due to the action of the cam 64 upon theroller 61, which is maintained against said cam 64 by a spring 81', reacting between a stud88 and the lever 69. The bar 15 is pro- `vided with rearwardly directed transversely spaced apart shoulders 89 and 9| adapted to engage spaced apart pins 92 and 93 respectively, which extend between plates 94 and 95 and between which the bar 15 slides when reciprocated by the cam 64. When the bar 15 is in normal, or down posit-ion, see Figure 4, the shoulder 89 will engage the pin 92 to rock the shaft 11 in one direction through the plate 95, which is secured to or formed on, the end of the shaft "11, and'it will be necessary to raise the bar- 15 to cause the shoulder 9| to engage the pin 93 to rock the shaft 11 in the other direction. Springs 96 and 91 react between studs 98 and 99 respectively and an arm i provided therefor on each of the plates 84 and 95 respectively to maintain the platesr 84 and 95, and through them, the shafts 54 and I1 in their rocked `posii tion until the respective bars 13 and 15 again act thereon to .change such position.

Rocking movement of the plates .83 and 84, (Figures 2, 3 and 5), and by them ofthe trip shaft 54,` rocks the lever 59. The lever 59 is connected through a link IUI, attached to an arm |92 of the lever 59, to a link |03, which is connected to a lug |84on a. ring |85. The ring |05 is secured as by a screw to an eccentric bearing sleeve |06 which supports a bearing in which the shaft end |01` of the` impression cylinder I1 is journaled. Thus, rocking movement of the lever 59 in one direction, willrotatethe-eccentrlc Vbearing for the impression cylinder I1 and trip or move this cylinder away from the blanket cylinder I8. In like manner, rocking movement of the plates 94 and 95 by the bar 15 will, through i a link |08connected to an arm |09 on a sleeve keyed to the shaft 11, (Figure 3), and to a link `I I2 secured to a. lug ||3 on a ring ||4 which ris connected as by a screw to the eccentric bearing sleeve 49, rock the eccentric bearing `for the .plate cylinder I6 to trip or move it away from the blanket cylinder I8. Rocking `movement of the lever 59 when it is connected by the pin 51 to the lever 53, as above described, will also move the plate 41 to cause the ink rollers o I9 by means, (Figures 2,v 3 and .4), offan arm |34, secured tov or forrned'as` apart oi the plate 83. 'I'he arm |34 is-connected by a link |35 to an arm |36 of alever pivotedupon a stud shaft |31. The other arm`|38 of .this leveriis operably'connected bya spring |39 to the'outer end of the -bar 15, which is urged upwardly thereby so that it` will actuate the plates 94 .and 95 to rock the trip shaft 11, wherebythefplate cylinder I6 will be tripped as above described, when the cam 64 reciprocates the bar 15. 1

Provision is included'iin themechanism" of this invention, whereby either'the plate'cylinder I6,

or the impression cylinder I1, may be' manually tripped. The .plate cylinder I6 may be manually tripped lby'rocking `the plates 94 and 95 and through them, the trip shaft 11, by applying a wrench (not shown) to the outer end of a stud |4I, (Figures 2 and 3), connected to or vformed as a part of the .outer plate 9'4": Likewise, the trip shaft 54 may be rocked to manually trip the impression cylinderl I1 by the"app1ic`ation of a g wrench (not shown) to the outer end' of a 'stud |42', (Figures 2, 3, 4 land 9); connected ,toor

and 2| to be tripped away from the plate cylinder I6. o

The trip bar 13` is raised into the above described tripping position by a lever II5, see Figures 2, 3, 5 and 9, rockably mounted on a stud shaft II6. An arm ||1 of the lever ||5 is connected to a link ||8 by a pin I|9 which rides in an `elongated slot I2I provided `in one end ,ofy

the said link H8. The other end of the link .I I8 is connected to the outer end of the bar 13. A spring I 22 reacting between a stud |23 and a short `arm |24 also of the lever ||5, tends to rock this lever to raise the bar 13, but is rei strained from doing so by a catch arm`|25 lwhich' o is normally held in such restraining position by `a swingable spring catch |26;y When the catch |26 ismoved out of catch arm `|25 holding posi- ',tion, thel spring |22 tends to. rock the -lever |I5.

to raise the bar 13but may be restrained from doing so by a timing cam |21whichis shaped so as to prevent such action while an impression is being printed on a sheet between the blanket and impression cylinders I1 and i8 respectively, The

cam |21 isprovided with a high land' portion |28 which when engaged by a cam roller |29 mounted on an arm |3I, also of the lever .|I5, holds .this `lever against the urge` of the spring |22. When the cam |21 is rotated to present its low land portion |32 to the roller |29, the lever ||5 is` rocked by the spring |22, provided the catch arm- |25 is released from the catch |26, and the arm 13 is raised into tripping position, whereby the impression cylinder i |1 will be tripped asv above described when the cam 64 re@- ciprocates the bar 13. The cam |21 is mounted upon the end ofthe shaft end 65 of the blanket cylinder I8 along with the cam 64 to rotate there with, (Figure 3), by a bolt |33; Y Raising movement of the trip bar 15 is also under. the control of the catch |26, the'catch arm |25, and the vcam |21 indirectly through the plates 83 and `84. The arrangement is such that after the bar 13 has been raised, as above de scribed, .and the cam 64 has reciprocated this bar to rock the plates 83 and 84 to trip the impression cylinder I1, the bar 15 is raised into trpping position as above described. This action takes place when theplates 83 and 84 are rocked formed as a part ofthe outer plate: 83.

Means to individually set-the trip bars 13 and 15 in raised"trip on, or lowered tripoflm'positions, while the-machine is operating, for instance, for thepurpose of silencing a unit,`is also included .in' .the mechanism of this invention (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9).

, setting the trip bar13, includes a postr |43 mount- ,ed on the `outer end of said bar 'and adapted to be acted.` upon by either of the opposing springs I 44 and I 45 connected by a'rod |48' to an arm A|46.secured,to a shaft |41. The arrnI46` is ar- -ranged to be swung in either direction by an operatinghandle |49 (Figure'l), secured to the outer end of the shaft |41..' A spring pin |59 shaft |41, the arm |46' (Figure 9), located in the hand gripping end of th'ehandle |49 is adapted to snap into holes IY5| and |52 in a plate |53 provided 'for this' `purpose to; releasably hold'the vhandlea'nd through the handle. |49, imposes an increased tension on ,either the spring |44 or |45 to force and hold the bar 1. .into the desired set position. The provision of the elongated slot I2 |"in the link I |,8 permits movement of the bar 13 into raised position.

Thev means to`set the trip bar 15 (Figure 4) in raised trip on or lowered trip ollvposition includes an arm |54 `connected to `a post |55 f mounted on the outer -end of the bar 15, by opposing springs |56 and |51 and a rod |58. The arm |54 is secured to a shaft |59 which has lan operating handle |6| secured upon its outer end. As in the case ofthe handle |49, a spring pressed pinv (not shown) is provided in the hand gripping end of the handle |6| (Figure 1) and is adapted to drop into holes |62 and |6 3`provided.in a plate |64 to releasably hold the arm |54 in its set position. The springs |56 and |51 when increased pressure between the plate cylinder I6 and the blanket cylinder I8 includes, an arm |65 secured toa shaft |66 having an operating handle |61 The means for so l i in the-selected setposition., :Rocking of the Varm |46 (Figure 5) by the secured to its outer end (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4).

The arm |65 is connected by an adjustable rod |68 to the outer end of the link II2. Swinging o! the arm |65 in one direction by the handle |61 will, through the rod |68 and the link II2, rock the ring I|4 to move the plate cylinder I6 closer to the blanket cylinder I8 through the medium of the eccentric bearing of the plate cylinder I6. A clamp |69 is provided to act upon the handle |61 to retain it in adjusted position.

The means for adjusting the impression cylin der I1 in respect to the blanket cylinder I8 te increase the pressure therebetween includes an arm I1I (Figure 2) connected to a. shaft |12 having an operating handle |13 secured upon its outer end (see Figures 1 and 2). The arm I1| is connected4 by an adjustable rod |14 to the outer .end of the link |03. Swinging movement o1 the |16 is provided to act upon the handle |13 to retain it in adjusted position.

A. casing |16, which is preferably oil-tight, is provided to cover all of the levers, links, arms, and cams associated and forming the mechanism of this invention which are mounted or disposed upon, or at the outside of the frame member 55. The wrench receiving ends of the studs |4| `and |42 extendthrough this casing |16 (see Figures l, 3 and 9) to be readily accessible to the machine operator.. For a like purpose, the shafts |41 and |59 for the setting handles |49 and |6I also extend through the casing |16, the handles |49 and |6| being disposed on the outer surface thereof. The shaft |66 for the plate cylinder pressure adjusting handle |61 is also extended through the'casing |16 forV the same purpose.A

The shaft |12 for the impression cylinder pressure ladjusting handle |13 lextends outwardly through the frame 55 for a like purpose. The shafts |66 and |12` also extend through the frame 56 to have the arms .|65 and |1I. respectively, disposed adjacent the inner face thereof, secured thereto.v The shafts 54 and 11 also extend throughl the frame 55 to have the levers 59 and arm |09 respectively, disposed adjacent'the inner face thereof, secured thereto.

The automatic operation of the above described improved cylinder and ink roller tripping mechanis'm is controlledby means associated with the sheet registering cylinder I2, and invthis instance includes a lever |11 (see Figure 1), which is acted upon by a roller |18'carried by an arm |19 on a shaft. I8I. Thel lever |11, arm |19, and shaft |8| correspond to elements numbered |93, |81, and |85 respectively,` shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings of the hereinbefore mentioned Patent No. 2,231,914, and aref actuated in accordance with the description thereof in that specification. Briefly, a sheet misplaced, absent, or out of registeron` the registering cylinder I2 will be detected by mechanism thereon, which acts to maintain the roller |18, o'n the arm |19, in its normal up |86 is carried on an arm of a lever |81 which is pivoted at |88 to a gear |89 indicated by dot and dash lines. 'Ihe levers |81 are spaced about the gear |89. A spring |9| reacts between the other arm |92 of each of the levers |81 and a post |93 on the gear I 89 to constantly urge the roller |86 toward the camming arm |85. 'I'he gear |89 is in mesh with a pinion |94, which rotates with the |95 carries a roller |91 while the other arm |98 thereof has a post |99 thereon adapted to be engaged by a catch notch 20| formed at the end of the arm |92 of the lever |81, when the lever |95 is swung in one direction to dispose the roller |91 thereon in an outstanding position whereby it will engage an arm 202 pivoted at 203 to an adjacent frame member. A spring 204 reacts between a post 205 on the gear 89 and the arm |98 of the lever |95 to urge the lever |95 in a direction to dispose the roller thereon inwardly as shown in Figures 1 and 12.

In this instance, four catch levers 81, four levers |95 and four arms 202 are provided one for use with each of four printing units, two only of which are shown, as I4 and I5. A stationary cam segment 206 is provided and disposed in position to be engaged by each of the rollers |91 as the gear |89 rotates, to swing the roller carrying arm of the lever |95 outwardly. The cam segment 206 and the camming arm are disposed in cooperating relationiso that, when the lever is swung by the cam segment 206 to dispose the roller |91 in outstanding position, the catch notch 20| will engage the post |99 to hold the lever |95 in such position, provided the camming arm |85 adjacent this lever |95 has been moved away from the roller |86 on the lever |11. Thus, when -a sheet is displaced, absent, or out of register, on

- in a casing l209 secured to an adjacent frame member. A spring 2I0 reacts between the casing 209 and the arm 202 to return it to its normal position, as soon as the roller |91 passes by due to the rotation of the gear |89. A tube 2|I (Figures 1, 2, 5 and 12) extends from each bellows 201 to a corresponding bellows 2I2 at each of the printing units I4, I5, etc., in consecutive order so that, as

, the bellows 201 are successively compressed by the outstanding roller |91 moving the arm 202 to compress the spring 208, the bellows 2|2 at the units will be expanded in turn, starting with the first unit I4 next to the registering cylinder |2.

`'I'he bellows 201, tube 2| and bellows 2|2 are preferably lled with a substantially non-compressible fluid and sealed so that a non-leakable hydraulic system will be provided and no lost motion will result.

I The bellows 2|2 at each-unit (see Figures' 1, 2, 5 and 9) is held in a casing 2|3, secured to the frame member 55 and actuates a push rod 2I4 slidably supported in a stationary post 2| 5. A spring I6A is provided to react between the post reacting between the post- 2I1 and the rod 2|4.

With this structure, expansion of the bellows 2|2 will swing the catch |26 downwardly to release the arm to allow the roller |29 to follow down the periphery of the cam |21 to the low land portion |32 thereof, whereby the trip arm 13 will be raised and the automatic tripping operation will be started. A catch 224, pivoted at 225 tothe frame 55, is acted upon by a coiled spring 226 (see Figure 9), to urge it toward and into engage` ment with a boss 221 provided on the`catch |26 to hold said catch down after it has been so moved by the bellows 2 I 2. A tongue 228 provided on the latch 224 is disposed in the path of the arm |25 to be engaged thereby, when it swings outwardly due to the roller |29 riding upon the low land portion |32 of the cam |21, to release the catch |26 whereby it will swing into position to engage the catch arm |25 when said\arm is again swung inwardly by the roller |29 riding upon the high land portion I 28 of the cam |21.

The driven members of each unit, including the cylinders I6, I1 and I8 and the reciprocating ink and water cylinders 24, 25, 26, 21 and 36 respectively, are driven from a drive shaft 23| (Figure 10), formed of sections extending between each unit and connected to a short shaft portion 232, journaled in bearings (not shown) at each unit, by universal joints 233 and 234. The shaft 232 has a bevel gear pinion 235 secured thereto which is in mesh with a bevel gear 236'secured upon a cross shaft 231. A gear 238 is secured upon the shaft 231 and is in mesh with a gear 239 secured upon the shaft end 24| of the blanket cylinder I8 adjacent the machine frame 56. The gears 238, 239 and all subsequently described gears of this driving arrangement are indicated in dot and dash lines for the sake of clearness and brevity.

The gear 239 is in mesh with a gear 242 secured on the shaft end 243 of the impression cylinder I1, and in mesh with a gear 244 on the shaft end 245 of the plate cylinder I6. A gear pinion 246, is in mesh with the gear 244. A gear pinion 241 rotatable with the gear pinion 246 is in mesh with a gear 248 which is in mesh with Va. gear pinion 249. The gear pinion 249 is in mesh with a gear 25| which is secured upon the shaft end of the reciprocating water cylinder 36. The gear 248 also meshes with a gear pinion 252 which is in mesh with a gear 253 on the vshaft end of the reciprocating ink. cylinder 21 and a gear 254 having a pinion 255 rotatable therewith. The pinion 255 is in mesh with a gear 256 having a pinion 251 rotatable therewith which is in mesh with a gear 258 secured. on the shaft 259 of a ductor roller operating cam (not shown). The gear 254 is also in mesh with a gear 26| which is in mesh with a gear pinion 262. The pinion 262 is in mesh with gears 263 and 264 secured upon the shaft ends of the reciprocating ink cylinders 24 and 25 respectively. The gear 264 is in mesh with a gear pinion 265 which'is in mesh witha gear 266. The gear 266 is in mesh with a gear 261 secured on the shaft end of the reciprocating ink cylinder 26.

Briefly, the operation of the improved tripping mechanism of this invention is as follows, assuming that the absence of `a sheet, or the presence 0 1' one that is `out of register, has been detected by `means on the registering cylinder I2 (not shown) arid` that in consequence the lever I 11 haswbeen swung by the roller |18 to move the camming arm |85 outwardly,rand thus out of possible engagement with the roller |86 on the lever |81. This action disposes the catch notch 20| on the lever |81 in position to enn gage the post |99 and thus maintain the roller |91 on the lever |95 in the outstanding position into which it has been swung by the cam segment 206. Asthe gear. |89 is continuously rotating in timed relation to the cylinder I2, the out standing roller |91 first engages the arm 202 next in its path, this being the arml which actuates the bellows 201 connected by the tube 2|I to the first unit I4. Such engagement of the arm 202 compresses the bellows 201 creating a pressure of fluid in the system whereby the bellows 2I2 is expandedv lengthwise to push the rod 2I4and through the spring 222 to rock the arm 2|8. Rocking of the arm 2I8 in turn rocks the shaft 2I9 and through it the catch |26 to release the catch arm |25. y

Release of the catch arm |25 from the catch |26 allows the spring |22 to act on the lever |I5 to cause the roller |29 to engage and ride on the timing cam |21. The cam|21 is rotated with the blanket cylinder I8 in timed relation-Kto the feed of the sheet carrying chain I3 and with the gear |89, as well as with the registering cylinder I2. Therefore, as a gripper bar (not shown) but carried bythe chain I3 to. feed sheets through the machine from the registering cylinder I2 apthe shoulder 19 wil1 engagethe pin 82 to rock the plates 83 and 84 into trip position.

Rocking of the plates 83 and 84 into trip posin tin first trips the impression cylinder Il away from the blanket cylinder I8 through the link IOI, ring |05, and the eccentric bearing sleeve |06, and at the same time by its arm |34 and through the link |35 to the lever arm ISS-swings l the'other lever arm |38 upwardly to impose a spring tension, by means of the spring |39, upon the trip lever 15 to raise it. Thus, when the cam 64 arrives at the roller 61 the lever 69 is rocked to reciprocate the lever 15 whereupon the shoulder 9| will engage thefpin 93 to rock the plates 94 and 95.into trip position. Rocking of the plates 94 and 95 into trip position will cause the plate cylinder I6 to be tripped away from the blanket cylinder I8. At the same time that the impression cylinder I1 is tripped as above described, the ink rollers I9 and 2| are tripped away from the plate cylinder I6 through the medium of the trip shaft 54, the lever 58, pin. 51, lever 53, arm 6I, link 62 and the eccentric ring 48which acts, as above described, on the plate 41 for this purpose. The various possible manual operations oi' the individual mechanism. it is believed, will be fully understood, having been. included in the foregoing description of their structure and need not berepeated at thispoint.

It will be understood that the above operations will take place to automatically trip the respective cylinders and ink rollers whenever a sheet is absent from its position on the sheet carrier-.chain i3v when leaving the registering cylinder |2, and that' the catches |28 at each unit willbe successively tripped to release the associated catch arms |25 at these units due to the revolution of the outstanding roller |91 with the gear v|89 whereby it will successivelyengage theV- arms 202 to successively compress the bellows 201 peripherally spaced about the gear |89V for this purpose, thus tripping all of the units successively.

If subsequent sheets are misregistered or missing from the registering cylinder I2, the tripping mechanism will continuato function to throw-off the impression as the conveyor brings the gripper bar from which a. sheet is missing to each unit,

'but whenever a sheet is properly presented to the registering cylinder` I2 and registered thereby so that it is taken by the gripper bar on the conveyor, that sheet will be carriedl through the several printing units .without tripping oil the impression.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that when anyone of the levers .|95 has been'latc'hed in its tripping position, t y make at least a, complete refvpiutiontripping all four units in sequence, but if"a sheet is properly registered on the cylinder I2 when the revolution of the gear |89 is completed-the lever |95, just referred to, will then be allowed to assume its normal position and regular operation of the machine will continue. This resetting is eil'ected due to the cammin'g arm |85 now being in normal position because the roller |18 would be depressed and there would consequently be no movement of the lever |11, and thus the roller |88 willlbe engaged to swing the lever |81 and raise the catch notch 20| away from the post |99 which permits the lever |95 to swing to its normal position wherein it does not engage the arms 202.

It will be understood that the gearing shown in Figure 10 may be enclosed in an oil-tight casing, and that the bearings for the shaft portions 232 may be supported in such a casing, as shown and described in Patent 2,267,100. While omitted for the sake of brevity and clearness, it is contemplated to include in association with the plate cylinder I6, means to adjust it both axially and circumferentially to align the form on its printing plate with those on the plate cylinders of the other units. Such mechanisms are shown and described in Patent No, 2,181,895, granted December 5, 1939.

The provision in a printing machine of the above described improved form of tripping mechanism insures its eiilcient and automatic operation. Enclosing of the hand and mechanical tripping mechanisms shown herein in a casing, preferably oil-tight, is especially advantageous by obviating the dangerous condition of exposed operating parts and also facilitates maintaining the parts clean and Well. oiled. By the arrange. ment disclosed, the various elements constituting this improved mechanism are compactly grouped in a readily accessible position upon the outside of a frame member.

The arrangement herein disclosed, whereby the blanket cylinder is carried in iixed bearings while the bearings of the plate and impression cylinders are movable is valso advantageous in that it fthe gear |89 willV tripping means. 4o`

-meanstotrip the pla-te and impression. cyl away' from the vblanket ce It `will be understood that the invention Y Y disclosed may be embodied in other specific ier Without departing from the spirit or esse attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired th the present embodiment be considered in all. spects as illustrative and not restrictive, will be further understood that each and e novel feature and combination present possessed by the mechanism herein shoe described forms a part of the invention in this application.

What I claim is:

1. In a printing machine having coops printing cylinders including a first cfg/'linde tioned between a second cylinder cylinder vand engaging them simulte means to trip the second and third c away from the rst cylinder, a cam scc the first cylindervto actuate the tripping a manually operable means to actuate the tr .means independently of the cam, operable means including part of the tr means, to adjust the pressure between *L and second 'and between the :irst an indersy without affecting the operation 2. In-arprinting machine having coo M blanket,plate and impression cylinders, se

cured togthe blanket cylinder to common# ate the tripping means, the said separate beingpositionedto be engaged in sequence the cam.

3.v In a printing machine having coef blanket, plate and impression cyiin means to trip the plate and impressi away from the blanket cylinder, a cam the blanket cylinder to commonly tripping means, the said separate meom positioned to be engaged in sequence-b3 and manually operable means to selec@ the plate and impression cylinders away i blanket cylinder independently the c 4.,v In a printing machine co blanket, plate and impression cylinders, means to trip theV plate and impressi ders away from the blanket cylinder c cured to the blanket cylinder to corni` e ate the tripping means, the said separe being positioned to be engaged in secu. the cam, manually operable means to sc,c ly trip the plate and impression cylinders from the blanket cylinder independen cam, and manually operable means to f set said tripping mechanism for 1 impression cylinders in the tripped oi positions and to tion by the cam.

5. In a printing machine having scope assumo to trip the plate and vimpression cylinders away from the' blanket cylinder, a cam secured to the blanket cylinder to commonly actuate the tripping means, the said separate means being positioned to be engagedin sequence by the cam, manually operable means to selectively trip the plate and impression cylinders away from the blanket cylinder independently of the cam, manually operable means to selectively set the tripping means for the plate and impression cylinders in the trip on and trip off positions and to prevent its operation by the cam, and manually operable means to selectively adjust the pressure between the plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder and between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder.

6. in a, printing machine having cooperatin engaging printing cylinders, a first one of the cylinders being journaled in xed bearings and a second one of the cylinders being journaled in rotatable eccentric bushings, ink rollers journaled in bearings movable about aviixed axis and engaging the second cylinder, machine operated means to rotate the bushings to trip the second cylinder away from the first cylinder and to move the ink roller bearings to trip the rollers away from the second cylinder, settable manually operable means to similarly trip the second cylinder, and other means connected to the bushings and manually operable to rotate them while the machine is running, to adjust the pressure between the cylinders.

7. ln a printing machine having a blanket cylinder journaled in fixed bearings and plate and impression cylinders each journaled in movable Vbearings and cooperating with the blanket cylinder, separate machine operated means to move the movable bearings of the plate and impression cylinders to trip them away from the blanket cylinder, and a cam secured to the blanket cylinder,

f the saidy separate means being positioned'to be engaged in sequence by the cam, to ilrst cause tripping of the impression cylinder and then tripping of the plate cylinder.

in a printing machine having cooperating engaging printing cylinders, a first one of the cylinders being journaled in fixed bearings and second one of the cylinders being journaled in rotatable eccentric bushings, one at each end thereof, machine operated means to rotate the bushings to trip the second cylinder away from 'the iirst cylinder, manually operable means to rotate the bushings to similarly trip the second cylinder, other means manually operable while the machine is running, to simultaneously rotate the bushings to adjust the pressure between the cylinders, anda casing covering the aforesaid means and having hand operable elements of the manually` operable pressure adjusting means extended therethrough.

li. In a printing machine having a blanket cylluder journaled in fixed bearings, a plate cylinder journaled at each end in a movable bearing, an impression cylinder journaled at each end in a movable bearing, separate machine operated means to move the movable bearings for the plate and impression cylinders to trip them away from the blanket cylinder, a cam secured to the blanket cylinder, and two cam followers disposed about the cam and respectively connected to the tripping means to trip the plate and impressionV cylinders in sequence.

ll). in a printing machine having a blanket cylinder journaled in fixed bearings, a plate cyllnder journaled at each end in a movable bearing, an impression cylinder journaled at each 'end in a movable bearing, separate mechanically operable means to move the movable bearings for the plate and impression cylinders 'to trip them away from the blanket cylinder, a cam secured to the blanket cylinder, and two cam followers disposed about the cam and respectively conn ected tothe tripping means, to trip the plate and impression cylinders in sequence, means to feed sheets to the cylinders, mechanism affected by the absence of a sheet at a register point to control the action of the tripping means, including a second cam secured to the blanket cylinder.

11. In a printing machine, a first cylinder journaled in fixed bearings, a second cylinder journaled at each end in rotatable eccentric bushings, a. machine operated means' to rotate the bushings to trip the second cylinder away from the first cylinder, 'including a link connected to each bushing and to which the tripping means is secured to rotate the bushing, the said link being connected also to a manually movable member operable to rotate the bushing to adjust the pressure between the first and second cylin-1 ders.

12. In a printing machine having a first cylinder journaled in fixed bearings and a second cylinder journaled in movable bearings, a cam secured to rotate with one of the cylinders, a tripping mechanism operable by the cam to move the movable bearings, the said tripping mechanism being connected to the movable bearings through link mechanism that is also connected to means operable while the press is running to manually adjust the movable bearings.

13. In an offset printing machine having a blanket cylinder, a plate cylinder and an impression cylinder, movable bearings whereby all of the said cylinders may be tripped apart and also moved one toward another to press them together, machine operated means to move the said movable bearings, including a cam rotating with one of the cylinders, and manually operated adjusting means associated with the machine operated means and operable while the machine is running to adjust the range of movement of the movable bearings.

14. In an offset printing machine, a blanket cylinder journaled in fixed bearings, a plate cylinder journaled in rotatable eccentric bushings, a machine operated means to rotate the bushings to trip the plate cylinder away from the blanket cylinder, including a `cam rotatable with the blanket cylinder, a cam follower connected to a shaft and a link mechanism connecting the shaft and each eccentric bushing, and a cylinder adjusting mechanism including a second shaft connected to a manually adjustable member and to each of the said link mechanisms, whereby the impression pressure of the said cylinders may be regulated. I

15. In an offset printing machine, a blanket cylinder journaled in fixed bearings, an impression cylinder journaled in rotatable eccentric bushings, a machine operated means to rotate the bushings to trip the impression cylinder away from the blanket cylinder, including a cam rotatable with the blanket cylinder a cam follower connected to a shaft and a link mechanism connecting the shaft and each eccentric bushing, and a cylinder adjusting mechanism including a second shaft connected to a manually adjustable member and to each of the said link mechtrip the second cylinder away from the rst cylinder, manually operable means to rotate the bushings to similarly trip the second cylinder, and a member manually operable to rotate the bushings through a small angle to adjust the pressure between the cylinders.

WILLIAM F. HUCK. 

